# Professor Bhaer — Little Women character guide

> Professor Bhaer in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Bhaer, Friedrich Bhaer, Old Fritz, the Professor

**First appearance:** 0035-part-ii-xxxiv-a-friend

## Snapshot

A shabby, warm-hearted German scholar who tutors halfheartedly, devours his dinner with relish, and carries little Tina home asleep in his arms.

## Who they are

Bhaer scrapes a living teaching indifferent young ladies who mock his accent, and Jo first notices him as the tired, hungry man at the bottom of Mrs. Kirke's boarding-house table. He is no polished suitor: he shouts philosophy at a deaf neighbor, scolds his pupils with a despairing 'Prut!', and yet strokes a child's hair with a fatherly tenderness that startles Jo. His blunt honesty and unglamorous kindness quietly measure everything the March girls have been taught to value.

## Relationships

### [Jo March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/jo_march)

_romantic_

Jo and Professor Bhaer share an intellectual and romantic connection that leads to a loving marriage.

### [Jo March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/jo_march)

_romantic_

Jo and Professor Bhaer share an intellectual and romantic connection that leads to a loving marriage.

### [Jo March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/jo_march)

_romantic_

Jo and Professor Bhaer share an intellectual and romantic connection that leads to a loving marriage.

## In the story

### [Jo's Journal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiii-jo-s-journal)

Kind, scholarly German professor who helps Jo with German lessons and gives her a Shakespeare volume.

### [A Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiv-a-friend)

Professor Bhaer gently criticizes Jo's sensational writing, influencing her to abandon it, and becomes a cherished friend.

### [My Lord and Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xliv-my-lord-and-lady)

Mentioned as the man Laurie believes intends to marry Jo. Laurie and Amy discuss him warmly, considering him a 'capital old Professor' and planning to help him financially.

### [Daisy and Demi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xlv-daisy-and-demi)

The 'bear-man' who wins the twins' affection with chocolate drops and his watch, and who is clearly drawn to Jo.

### [Under the Umbrella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xlvi-under-the-umbrella)

Confesses his love to Jo, expresses concern about his poverty and age, and commits to supporting his nephews before marrying.

### [Harvest Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xlvii-harvest-time)

Jo's husband, who helps run the school and is beloved by the boys as 'Father Bhaer'.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/professor_bhaer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters